92002E0241

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0241/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 February 2002)

Subject: Banana directives

There are persistent reports in the British press that the European Union is forever delving into every nook and cranny of life through the use of unnecessary directives. Others claim that these reports are Euro-myths. One of the most persistent reports concerns the sale of bananas.

Can the Commission indicate whether it is true that all bananas sold within the European Union must conform to certain standards including degree of curvature and size, and, if so, to specify the relevant directive and the principal requirements that retailers of bananas are required to observe.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 2002)

Article 2 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 404/93 of 13 February 1993 on common organisation of the market in bananas(1) states that quality standards shall be laid down for bananas, except plantains, that are to be supplied fresh to the consumer.

The standards themselves are set out in Commission Regulation (EC) No 2257/94 of 16 September 1994 laying down quality standards for bananas(2).

They were adopted following wide consultation with the trade, which already applied its own commercial standards.

In the interests of producers, the trade and consumers quality standards exist for many agricultural products.

(1) OJ L 47, 25.2.1993.

(2) OJ L 245, 20.9.1994.